LONGUEUIL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Jan. 19, 2011) - Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Julie Payette will undertake an eight-month fellowship as a Public Policy Scholar at the prestigious Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars in Washington, D.C.

As an international scholar, Ms. Payette will be affiliated with the Woodrow Wilson Centre's Canada Institute. Her project while at the Center will involve research in the area of capacity building in high performance organisations.

Julie Payette will join the ranks of notable Canadians such as Ralph Klein, Benoit Pelletier and Joe Clark who have also attended this prestigious University. While on leave at the Center, she remains a member of the Canadian Astronaut corps.

Ms. Payette joined the Canadian Space Agency in 1992. In 1999, Ms. Payette became the first Canadian astronaut to visit the International Space Station. In 2009, she returned to the Station serving as Flight Engineer and Robotic Specialist. In 2000, Ms Payette was made a Knight of the National Order of Quebec and in 2010, she was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada.